Verizon Sweeps Mobile Performance Awards in Houston for the Third Consecutive Time in Heated Race

Published on June 20, 2017

Bellevue, WA, June 20, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — According to RootMetrics®, the independent source for real-world mobile performance comparison, Verizon sweeps the RootScore Awards in Houston, claiming first place outright in five out of the six categories. Notably, this is the third time in a row that Verizon has swept the network performance awards in the Houston metro area. While Verizon takes the lead across all categories, the latest 1st Half 2017 Houston Metro RootScore Report reveals the carrier faces close competition in the network reliability and data performance categories.

When it comes to data performance in Houston, all four carriers record comparable fastest median download speeds ranging between 13.0 Mbps and 15.5 Mbps, meaning subscribers can download a high-definition TV show in about five to six minutes. T-Mobile posts the fastest median upload speed at 17.3 Mbps, meaning uploading a photo to social media would take about two seconds.

“Though Verizon takes the lead across our latest Houston testing, the competition is hotter than Texas asphalt in July with close races in network reliability and comparable data speeds from the carriers,” said Annette Hamilton, RootMetrics director. “Another testing period of solid network reliability performance suggests mobile consumers have excellent carrier options depending on how they use their mobile devices.”

This is the thirteenth time RootMetrics has tested the mobile networks in Houston and issued findings for the metro area. RootScore Reports provide a scientific, independent, consumer-focused assessment of mobile network performance.

Mobile Performance You Can Depend on

Reliability and speed are crucial to a consistently good mobile experience. RootMetrics indicates performance in these key areas with its network reliability category, a combination of results from data, call, and text tests; and its network speed category, which examines results across testing of data transfers, downloading email, and web/app tasks. All four carriers perform well in network reliability, but Verizon ultimately takes the Network Reliability RootScore Award outright for the second consecutive testing period. Furthermore, Verizon captures the Network Speed RootScore Awards outright for the second time in a row.

Data Performance

The data performance category reflects how well networks perform in downloading and uploading data, performing email tasks, and downloading files that approximate loading typical webpages or apps. AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon record the fastest median download speeds, ranging between 13.0 Mbps and 15.5 Mbps. This means downloading a high-definition TV show on any of the four networks would take between five and six minutes. Meanwhile, T-Mobile records the fastest median upload speed at 17.3 Mbps, allowing subscribers to download a picture to social media in about two seconds. Ultimately, Verizon earns the Data Performance RootScore Award outright for the second time in a row.

Call and Text Performance

Call and text capabilities are fundamental to a strong mobile experience. Call performance testing is based on how reliably each network can place and maintain calls, while text performance measures how reliably and quickly consumers can send and receive text messages. Verizon claims the Call Performance RootScore Award outright, while the text performance category results in a four-way tie for the third consecutive time.

Comprehensive Testing

To evaluate the mobile experience in Houston, RootMetrics conducted tests across all hours of the day and night from May 10 through May 18. Using smartphones purchased off the shelf at carrier stores, tests were conducted indoors at 186 locations and while driving 4,091 miles. For details about RootMetrics testing, see the methodology section of the RootMetrics website.

RootMetrics®, an IHS Markit company, is an independent mobile analytics firm that measures mobile network performance and offers insights into the consumer mobile experience. RootMetrics provides data on mobile network performance to help the networks improve and give consumers an end-to-end look at mobile performance. To ensure that RootMetrics testing reflects real-world mobile usage, testing is conducted based on where, when and how consumers use their smartphones most often.